Detour Ahead

November 20, 2009

Ever have one of those days/weeks/months where you just get nothing done ? My list of projects to finish this week was a mile long, but I barely made a dent in it. There were cabinets to paint, stockings to sew, emails to return, laundry to finish, a household to run, and children to take care of. But when your little tykes are ill, it’s just about impossible to get anything done, or to get any sleep either.

During our walk downtown running some errands, we happened to pass the local Christmas Fanstasia shop. Just try walking two small children (who wholeheartedly believe in Santa Claus) past this charming display behind beveled glass, and resisting their request to visit. It’s completely impossible.

So despite all my best plans to check off some of those items on my long list, I stopped, and then welcomed this little detour.

My home town has a great big store dedicated only to Christmas and nothing else. This shop is really an amazing sight to see, and folks come from all around to browse this enchanting place. The proprietors spend all year decorating in preparation for this season, and it shows. The shop is filled with every decoration and ornament you can imagine, and we simply couldn’t stay away.

Tree after tree of every theme imaginable.

Sweets, anyone ?

There’s a tree that supposedly caters to the fellows. But I can appreciate the hammers, wrenches, footballs, poker chips, and beer ornaments just as much as the guys.

A twelve foot tall jungle tree, covered with all kinds of creatures, and with an amazing tree topper of striped reeds.

Ladies, the shoe tree is irresistible.

Although I like these blue suede shoes on the Elvis tree too.

Rows and shelves of beautiful nativities and angels

Traditional Santas and non-traditional Santas in every crazy kind of outfit

An entire room dedicated to Christmas village collectors

This Flamingo motel nestled among the Victorians made me laugh

There are an endless supply of novelty ornaments, from fishing, to western, to dogs, cats, you name it, they’ve got it.

Whether you like dice . . .

or fancy cowboy boots. . .

They have an unbelievable selection of elegant ornaments too, from butterflies to birds nests to intricately detailed glass ornaments.

There is so much to look at, we spent almost an hour just appreciating all the details.

The focal point is the upside down tree that greets you as you enter.

This year, it is decked out with cherry and lime colored ornaments and it is a twelve foot tall spectacle.

So glad we took this detour today. After all, those home improvement projects can wait.

36 Responses to “Detour Ahead”

That is an incredible store! Oh how I would love to visit, the ornaments you can get over here, now positivily seem dull and boring (being mostly round).
Good on you to take the Christmas detour and letting us enjoy it too.

If I went in there, I don’t think I’d ever come out! What an amazing spot. I love the shoe ornaments! I’ve always wanted one of those Christmas villages…I think the girls would love having one. Wish we had a spot to put one. ;) An ornament addict could really get lost in there! Thanks for sharing with us. :)

To be fair, Kate, if I was walking with you past this store, I’d be begging to go inside, too! My problem with stores like this is that I look at every little thing, so I need to have the time to spend browsing. Then, of course, I want to buy everything and there goes the budget!

oh my word, that looks incredible……Kate, thanks so much for also taking the time to share with us. You were absolutely right…it was a good thing to take the time to walk thru there. That certainly WILL give you the bug!!!

In the years to come you’ll forget all those things on your list and remember the day you stopped to take the time with your little ones to smell the cinnamon….they only believe for a very short time……..

I’ve decided to take a detour myself and leave home improvements projects on the back burner while I decorate for the holidays and then enjoy them for a bit!! Loved seeing images from this store!
Janell

Un. Believe. Able. It would be totally worth it to get in my car and drive 2 days just to visit that store. My husband would chain me to the house if we had a store like that close by. Not so good for the budget but oh-so-good for the decor!! Thanks for making me jealous!

I am always so overwhelmed by Christmas decorations. I don’t know how to navigate those stores. I just suddenly find myself fixated on all the pretty lights and sparkles, and next thing I know, an hour has passed. I’ll miss decorating for Christmas this year. I left my tree and all my ornaments back east at my parents’ home — I couldn’t fit them in the car for the drive to CA.

Just the thing to get you in the Christmas spirit! This year we finally have enough room to get an actual “big” Christmas tree instead of our little table top tree. Can’t wait to start decorating this year :)

If you’d enjoy having a cute piece of Vietri pottery for Christmas, take a quick look at my post from this past Monday, November 16. I’m celebrating my 100th post by giving away a “Rudolfo” chip and dip set from the Vietri outlet down the road from me. My blog is small, so there won’t be too many entries–good odds of winning!

Hope everyone is your household is feeling completely well in time for a beautiful Thanksgiving.

Made the same detour just the other day. Overwhelming. Gorgeous. Didn’t you love that they displayed that tree upside-down! Your photos are wonderful, what a fantastic review Kate! This really puts Petaluma on the Christmas map!

Hi Christa – I couldn’t leave without buying the most charming set of Wizard of Oz ornaments, since my daughter was the cuuuuutest Dorothy this year for Halloween. A little nostalgic memorabilia to remember 2009.

I’ve never heard of that store. Must find it!! The upside down tree looks like a chandelier doesn’t it?! I’ve read so many rants today…I’m tired. Your blog was a breath of fresh air. Thanks for that. Holly

I have to say that I love the ornaments on the upside down tree. I have never heard of such. My MIL had a Christmas Shop in Florida but it was in a small town and it didn’t have the cliental to keep it going. She still buys at market though:)

If this doesn’t put you in the Christmas mood not much else will. Thanks for taking us all along with you. It’s funny how when the holiday season starts we can’t get enough of it…we become almost childlike in anticipation. The music, the smells, the energy, the decorations, the lights. It’s a magical time. As the season fades we are ready to see it go and dread putting it all away. When the next holiday season arrives again its as if we are seeing it again with fresh new eyes…

It is amazing how a little detour can help with your mood and stress levels. Sometime just letting your mind relax is all you need to get back on track. This looks like a really fun place to get into the Christmas spirit!

Kate, What a wonderful store. Thanks for sharing. The photos are fabulous. Next time I am down in that area I am sure to look up the store. Is it in downtown Napa or Sonoma?? I like to buy ornaments all year long for my “tree” made from an old wooden ladder. Thanks for sharing
~Tracy

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Hi, I'm Kate from Northern California. I'm a bargain hunter, design lover, renovator, and incurable DIYer. I'm on a quest for diamond style on a dime, and out to make my world fabulous, for less, one DIY or decorating project at a time. Learn more.